ב"ה
Chukat-Balak 5769 - July 3, 2009
Living
Birds of Pray
The best time to watch birds is in the morning. In fact, the more closely you adhere to the optimal schedule of Jewish devotion, the more certain you are to miss the most beautiful aspect of watching the birds, and that is... listening to them.
The best time to watch birds is in the morning. In fact, the more closely you adhere to the optimal schedule of Jewish devotion, the more certain you are to miss the most beautiful aspect of watching the birds, and that is... listening to them.
Kaddish with Oprah
During my eleven months of saying Kaddish, I ended up in various minyans from San Francisco to Halifax, but the phone call in New York was the start of what turned out to be perhaps the most interesting Kaddish experience of them all...
During my eleven months of saying Kaddish, I ended up in various minyans from San Francisco to Halifax, but the phone call in New York was the start of what turned out to be perhaps the most interesting Kaddish experience of them all...
Does A High Arab Birthrate Threaten Israel?
The Arab birth rate continues to outstrip the Jewish rate--and the government continues to discourage large families. How are we ever going to ensure that this place remains the Jewish homeland?
The Arab birth rate continues to outstrip the Jewish rate--and the government continues to discourage large families. How are we ever going to ensure that this place remains the Jewish homeland?
Chassidic Thought
Let Them Eat Cake
Some things are so very astounding that the casually passing mind refuses to notice the wonder.
Some things are so very astounding that the casually passing mind refuses to notice the wonder.
The Mystical Significance of the Star of David
The double triangle of the Star of David symbolizes the connection of both the inner and external dimensions of G‑d, Torah and Israel.
The double triangle of the Star of David symbolizes the connection of both the inner and external dimensions of G‑d, Torah and Israel.
The Jewish Woman
Freedom to Be a Jew
One night, as I come home from school, I open the front door and hear strange noises coming from the living room, a mixture of radio static and a voice speaking in a foreign language...
One night, as I come home from school, I open the front door and hear strange noises coming from the living room, a mixture of radio static and a voice speaking in a foreign language...
A Watchful Eye
It is interesting what happens when you simply watch your kids. They begin to demonstrate all sorts of abilities you never realized they had, just lurking under the surface of their dependency on you...
It is interesting what happens when you simply watch your kids. They begin to demonstrate all sorts of abilities you never realized they had, just lurking under the surface of their dependency on you...
Parshah
The Parshah in a Nutshell
Ashes and water; death, anger and war; a talking ass, curses transformed into blessings, and prophecies of the end of days; a noxious idol, promiscuous prince and a zealot; and what has been said about them all by sages and mystics through the ages
Ashes and water; death, anger and war; a talking ass, curses transformed into blessings, and prophecies of the end of days; a noxious idol, promiscuous prince and a zealot; and what has been said about them all by sages and mystics through the ages
The Fragile Veneer of Evil
On the one hand, he’s declared to be nothing less than the equal of Abraham (in passion) and Moses (in prophecy); on the other, he’s described as the most perverse, greedy and corrupt human being ever to walk the face of the earth!
On the one hand, he’s declared to be nothing less than the equal of Abraham (in passion) and Moses (in prophecy); on the other, he’s described as the most perverse, greedy and corrupt human being ever to walk the face of the earth!
Privacy and Modesty
Our role as Jews is to be an example. The Torah describes us, thousands of years ago, as expressing the virtues of modesty and privacy.
Our role as Jews is to be an example. The Torah describes us, thousands of years ago, as expressing the virtues of modesty and privacy.
Why Did Moses Hit the Rock?
If striking the rock was so awful, why was it okay so many years earlier? Why didn't Moses follow G-d's simple instructions? Why did this seemingly minor offense have such severe consequences?
If striking the rock was so awful, why was it okay so many years earlier? Why didn't Moses follow G-d's simple instructions? Why did this seemingly minor offense have such severe consequences?
Of Donkeys and Discernment
G‑d has given us something far, far superior to "Donkeyvision": the challenge of liberty and the gift of discernment...
G‑d has given us something far, far superior to "Donkeyvision": the challenge of liberty and the gift of discernment...
Ten things were created at twilight of Shabbat eve: the mouth of the earth [that swallowed Korach]; the mouth of [Miriam's] well; the mouth of [Balaam's] ass; the rainbow; the manna; [Moses'] staff; the shamir; the writing, the inscription and the tablets [of the Ten Commandments]. Some say also the burial place of Moses and the ram of our father Abraham. And some say also the spirits of destruction as well as the original tongs, for tongs are made with tongs
— Ethics of the Fathers 5:6
Print Magazine
Due to the limitations of your reality, some of your best friends can enter only incognito.
In fact, the really big ones sometimes sneak in disguised as ugly monsters and vicious enemies. Otherwise, the guards at the gate would never permit them entry.
These are the events optimists call “blessings in disguise.”
Here’...
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